I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 6

The Elsdean family was a prestigious house, famed for generations of strong magical bloodlines. Marriage partners were chosen under strict conditions: high magical power and noble lineage. These were traditions, essential for producing heirs.

Leivis, the current marquis, had chosen Liliana of the Valentin family. Though she never appeared in society, her magical strength had been renowned since childhood. Her father, Count Valentin, demanded the highest-ranking match and the largest dowry. Thus, the marriage contract was sealed—without love, only conditions. Nobles married for heirs, not affection.

When Leivis first met her, he thought her fragile—downcast eyes, heavy aura, unwilling to look at him. Her beauty was fleeting, almost ethereal. He was momentarily captivated, but dismissed the feeling.

On their wedding night, however, she looked at him directly for the first time. Her violet eyes were breathtaking. But then she spoke words that stunned him:

“You don’t need to love me!”

It was like a thunderbolt. Nobles didn’t marry for love, but her blunt rejection of affection struck him silent. Worse was her next declaration:

“You may have as many mistresses as you like!”

She fled the room, leaving him bewildered.

(What misunderstanding is this…?)

Leivis had no intention of taking mistresses. Though common among nobles, he considered it disrespectful to both wife and family. If he ever sought another partner, it would only be after divorce. He tried to clarify, but her door remained shut. Her trembling voice revealed her fear of him.

He realized he had frightened her. She was a sheltered daughter, forced into marriage for heirs. He had assumed she accepted it, but that was his selfish mistake. He returned to the castle that night, burying himself in magical research.

At dawn, in the royal research institute, he awoke from a nap. Outside, the sky shifted from violet to orange. Sunlight struck the towering magical pillars— “Pillars” that he was developing to form protective barriers.

These barriers repelled demons and disease. For now, they protected only the castle, but his dream was to shield the entire capital, then towns and villages across the kingdom. Yet his research had stalled. Scaling up drained too much magical power.

(How can I solve this shortage…?)

As he pondered, the king entered, effortlessly bypassing magical wards. Older than Leivis, dressed simply, yet radiating authority.

“How goes the research?”
“Not well. The limit is magical capacity. Combining multiple sources fails. Their natures clash.”
“I see. I don’t understand,” the king said bluntly, then studied the model.

“There’s an old legend: when a man and woman of high magic truly love each other, their powers resonate, producing greater strength.”
“Magical resonance… It’s only theory. Never proven.”
“You have no dreams,” the king sighed.

Leivis admitted the idea was intriguing but rare. The king lamented that nobles only chose partners for magic, not compatibility.

“Or perhaps we must wait for a saint,” the king mused.

But saints appeared only once in an era, with infinite magic. Hoping for one was unrealistic.

The king then asked, “And your marriage?”
“…Unchanged.”

Leivis knew the king wanted him to nurture love. But to love for research’s sake felt dishonest. Their marriage was for heirs, not affection.

“Why stay at the castle overnight?”
“….”

The king saw through him. Leivis feared facing his wife, feared her rejection. Her words on their wedding night haunted him.

(Impossible! To seek love from someone who said she doesn’t want it.)

“Go home,” the king ordered. “No more overnight stays. A nation cannot afford its nobles’ marriages to fail from neglect. Love may not begin a marriage, but it can grow.”

The king reminded him: even his own marriage had been political, yet he and the queen now respected each other deeply.

“Marriage needs conversation. Speak with her.”

“…Understood. I’ll return home.”

Avoiding her was no different than running away. He had to face her this time properly.

“Good. Do your best,” the king said.